Chapter 10
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How to Survive as the Villain's Younger Sister
Episode 10
"From now on, visit Alexis every morning and evening to pay your respects."
What came next was entirely unlike Dreiny.
I tilted my head in confusion and looked up at him, only to see him smile wickedly.
"I mean you should regularly observe Alexis's movements and report to me. The servants' reports alone are insufficient. But you are of Parkision blood, so you should be able to see and hear more than the servants."
"...."
"Ah, and ask her to have you attend the household meetings she hosts."
"But I'm only twelve...."
"Report everything that comes out of those meetings to me without fail. Understood?"
Dreiny bulldozed right over my words without listening.
'Is he seriously asking me to spy for him?'
Despite this absurd demand, the servants didn't so much as flinch.
"Please answer quickly that you'll do as instructed."
One servant even poked my shoulder with her finger, urging me to respond faster.
'This is truly heartbreaking.'
My lips pouted involuntarily.
"My lord, we shall educate the young lady properly."
"We will ensure she can carry out your orders."
When I didn't answer, the servants responded in my stead.
"Yes, of course you will."
Only then did Dreiny leave, looking satisfied.
The servants exhaled in exasperation.
"Could you please answer more quickly? Do you have no voice?"
"How are we even supposed to educate her? At least if she were intelligent."
"As long as she doesn't get caught playing spy, that's all that matters."
The servants' sharp voices pierced my chest like daggers.
I looked up at them with tears welling in my eyes, but they only glared back at me.
In the end, my twelve-year-old body, true to its instincts, let tears fall freely.
But my mind remained cold and clear.
'I can't take this anymore!'
I need to accelerate my plans.
* * *
Friday afternoon.
The servants always took me to the Rose Garden.
The Rose Garden, where only those of Parkision blood were permitted entry.
The servants' reason for going there, using me as their excuse, was always the same.
"He's quite late today."
"The Duke is observing the Knight Order today."
"It will take him a while to return after the observation. Ah, I miss him so. Sir Dain!"
Dain Bartal.
Healthy chestnut hair like a horse's mane, a large and sturdy frame.
Yet his face was as beautifully pure as a single blossom—a knight whose name was Dain.
Alexis always took her walks here on Friday afternoons.
Accompanied by her close attendants, Dain and Maran.
"Who might Sir Dain marry?"
"With his handsome face and gentle nature, everyone will be vying for him."
"But he's a commoner, so he can't marry nobility, can he? He'll have to marry someone of the same station."
The maids who heard this shrieked with laughter.
"But why does such a magnificent knight serve someone like the Duke?"
Someone spoke wistfully then.
The other maids nodded in agreement.
"The prevailing power is Count Dreiny Volgo, after all. All the retainers, just like us, receive money from Count Volgo."
"The Duke has no kindness about him, and he lacks the flexibility to throw money around like that."
"But isn't it thanks to serving His Grace that we get to see Sir Dain's face every time?"
"Ohoho, that's right, that's right. And if our eyes were to meet...!"
The maids burst into laughter again.
I pretended to play with the dirt, regarding them with disdain.
'They're lost in daydreams about marrying Dain.'
But Dain has rather high standards, doesn't he?
'Dain is in love with Alexis.'
In the original story, Dain's devotion moved many readers to tears.
He spent his entire life loving Alexis.
'It's not an exaggeration—he truly sacrificed his life.'
In my past life and even after regression, he threw away his life for Alexis.
Unaware of this, the deluded maids were trembling with excitement.
'Their scheme is transparent.'
They use me as an excuse to come to the Rose Garden.
Then they pretend to encounter Dain by chance and create a connection with him.
'But I don't think that will happen today.'
I secretly stuck my tongue out playfully and quickly tucked it back in.
Then I spoke as if I'd just remembered something.
"My sister said she wasn't taking a walk today, didn't she? So Dain won't be coming either."
"What did you say?"
The maids, who had been chattering while ignoring me, all turned around at once.
I waved my dirt-covered hands like autumn leaves for emphasis as I spoke.
"When I went to give her a birthday gift before, she mentioned it—that she wouldn't be taking walks this week."
"Why are you telling us this now?"
"No one asked me."
I answered with innocent candor.
It was a plain fact.
'They don't care about my opinions anyway.'
The maids beat their chests as if their clothes might burst.
"We just wasted time for nothing."
"I told you she's no help."
"Let's just go back quickly. Miss, get up."
One of the maids grabbed my arm painfully hard.
The maid, already thick-set and strong, yanked so forcefully that it hurt terribly.
I startled and shoved her hand away roughly.
"Miss!"
The maid cried out sharply.
Her name was Della.
She was the leader among my direct attendants.
"Miss! What are you doing? You must show proper manners!"
"Della isn't showing proper manners either, is she?"
I asked, putting force into my eyes.
My lips pressed together as if angry, and I clenched both fists deliberately tight.
The maids flinched.
'I'm normally a good child who doesn't get angry.'
"My, Miss..."
But the maids soon began to snicker.
"My, Miss. Are you angry?"
"Oh, this is hilarious. What's she going to do about it?"
The maids looked as though they saw nothing before them.
It was only natural.
Even when Julia was alive, there had never been an adult who cherished or respected me.
Now that the household's master had changed.
I wasn't even loved by Alexis.
Dreiny, who even bribes them, must have given the orders.
'Crush Cyrilia's spirit completely. Make her depend on me and unable to think of resistance.'
'Hmph, I know it all.'
I placed both hands on my hips with a sharp motion.
"You are employees, and I am your mistress. Show me proper respect."
"My goodness. Have we ever shown you disrespect?"
Della spoke brazenly.
"If you have no intention of showing respect, I will punish you."
The maids giggled at my words.
Della poked my forehead with her thick index finger, tap-tap.
"If you keep doing that, I'll tell the young master. Then it's you who'll be punished, Miss."
I bit down on Della's smug index finger.
"Ugh! What are you doing, you filthy thing!"
Della flailed about in panic.
I grabbed her legs with my entire body and shoved her down with all my weight.
"Kyaaah!"
Della and I tumbled to the ground together.
"Della, are you alright?"
"Miss!"
The maids rushed over to Della, clustering around her to check on her condition.
Then they glared at me.
'But I fell too....'
It hurt.
My knees seemed to be scraped.
'I think I'm bleeding too.'
I groaned and got up on my own.
"Oh no. My clothes are dirty and my hair is a mess. I went to so much trouble to look good for Dain!"
Even a twelve-year-old like me could get up on my own, yet Della was still lying face-down, whimpering to the maids.
I spoke coldly.
"Della, get up now. That's an order from your mistress."
"Oh, really! I'm going to tell the Baron everything!"
"And I'm going to tell my sister everything you all did to me."
"What are you going to tell her? You don't even have proof. Who would believe your word anyway?"
Della spoke carelessly in a casual tone, her excitement getting the better of her.
"Why wouldn't I have proof?"
I smiled brightly.
The maids glared at me, as if asking what I was talking about.
That was when it happened.
Someone emerged from behind the dense rose vines.
"How noisy. What are you doing in my garden?"
It was Alexis.
"!"
The maids gasped in shock.
Alexis was wearing knight's armor, apparently having just returned from observing the Knight Order.
The armor suited her tall, slender frame remarkably well.
Over the black jacket draped lightly across her shoulders, golden hair like the sun cascaded down in waves.
"B-but you said she wouldn't be coming today...."
Della murmured without thinking, looking at me.
'It was a lie. You fell for it, didn't you?'
I mouthed the words to her silently.
'I lied to make you let your guard down.'
Just as I intended, the maids had grown careless and crossed the line.
Della's face twitched convulsively.
She wanted nothing more than to lash out at me immediately, but she barely restrained herself because of Alexis.
Behind her, Dain and Maran materialized like shadows.
"Your Excellency, you were here...?"
Dain and Maran, arriving belatedly, furrowed their brows at the sight of us.
"Rise at once. What is this lack of propriety?"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org